Rowan
"Fuck!" I growl loudly as I watch Claire's small, frail body crumple to the ground.
"What the fuck did you do!?" I hear Bennett scream from behind me. I turn to look at him, but he has already run to Claire's side, cradling her in his large arms, her blood staining his chest. "She's dying!" He yells as he looks at me with wide, pleading eyes.
My heart begins to pound in my chest at his words. It can't be true, can it? I couldn't have killed her.
"Get over here and heal her. Now, Rowan!" Bennett screams, pulling me from my shocked state. I run quickly to her, biting my wrist as Bennett tilts her chin, opening her mouth.
I watch as my blood flows into her mouth, hoping I was fast enough. Dragon blood has healing properties, especially for our mates. Bennett can only heal cuts and gashes with his saliva.
"If she dies, Rowan." He looks at me with more malice than I've ever seen in his eyes. He's never been this angry at me.
"If she dies I will never forgive you." He states firmly and I feel my stomach drop in worry.
"She'll be fine." I tell him, listening to her heart rate. It hasn't increased, but hasn't slowed down any more. I bite my wrist again, pushing it against her mouth to give her more blood.
"If she makes it..." Bennett starts before taking a deep breath. "If she makes it you need to change your treatment of her. I won't allow this anymore." He says with narrowed eyes and clenched jaw. I look over at him and stare at him.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask, noticing the thinly veiled threat.
"If you hurt her again, I will leave. And take her with me." He confirms and I snarl at him.
"You would choose her over me?" I ask incredulously. This little human has only been with us for a few weeks. I've been with him for centuries. He nods at my question before looking down at Claire.
"She's a part of my soul just like you are. The only difference is she doesn't make you want to kill yourself. I can't watch her wither away and die like this. It hurts too much Rowan. It will kill my wolf. I already haven't been able to shift since the first night she slept away from us. I love you, Rowan, but she's my mate too. The more vulnerable one. She needs my protection. I just never thought she'd need it from our other mate." He spits angrily at me and I feel my heart clench in sadness.
I can't imagine how hard it is for him to not shift. Losing his wolf would be like losing half of who he is. I feel like absolute shit knowing I'm the one doing this. Not just to Claire, but to Bennett. I hated her for making me share Bennett. For taking him away from me. It turns out I'm doing that entirely on my own. Pushing him away, making him hate me.
The thought is sobering and I decide then and there that he is right. My behavior needs to change.
"I'm not saying I'm going to fall in love with her, or that I want her, but I will leave her alone. I'll let you deal with her from now on." I tell him and he eyes me sadly.
"That's not how it's meant to be, Rowan. We are supposed to take care of each other. Love each other. Complete each other. You will always crave her. It's ok to feel that way. I want you to feel that way. Why can't you stop being stubborn and allow yourself to feel something for her?" He asks me desperately and I can't stop the small growl that escapes me.
"Because I don't want another mate. I was happy with you. Just you. And then we got a human that fucking hates our kind. She despises what we are. How can you love someone who hates you like that?" I ask him and he shrugs.
"She hates us because of all she's been through. I can't blame her, I would probably hate our kind too. But if we show her that we can be different, that we can be kind and gentle, then maybe she could grow to care for us. Maybe she can learn to trust us. But we have to make an effort. Both of us." He implores me and I sigh. I look down at Claire whose fingers twitch and back to Bennett.
"We can try. Come, let's get our little human home." I say standing as he slips his arms under Claire and lifts her gently.
"Stop fucking calling her human. Her name is Claire. It makes her feel like shit when you do that." He snarls at me and I run a hand down my face. I already know she hates that, that's why I do it. But I suppose I'll need to break myself of the habit.
"Fine. I'll stop calling her that." I say and he nods as we walk back towards the house. I watch him with Claire, looking down worriedly at her. I do feel guilty for what I did to her. She didn't deserve it. I suppose I can't blame her for what she said after the way I've treated her thus far.
"Can I carry her?" I ask before I even realize the words have left my mouth. Bennett looks at me surprised, but nods and hands her carefully to me.
I cradle her gently against me, tucking her head under my chin where she has stopped bleeding and the skin has healed. I breathe in her scent, below the blood and dirt from her trek through the woods. Maybe we should take her out more, some fresh air would be good for her. Her body looks tiny against me, it's then I realize how much weight she's lost, how pale and sickly her skin is, and the dark circles under her sunken eyes. Shame hits me hard that I've done this to my mate. Bennett's right, even if she is human, she is still mine. I should be protecting her and caring for her. Not making her want to end her own life. I heave a heavy breath and press a kiss to her forehead. She curls in my arms, pulling herself closer to me and wrapping her arms around my neck.
Only unconcious would she do such a thing, I know this, but seeing the bond effect her still brings me a speck of joy. Even though I've been horrible to her, she still craves me, enjoys my scent and presence. I shouldn't be using that to my advantage to cause her pain.
I carry her into the house and sit on our bed with Claire still in my arms as Bennett starts the shower. He comes back out and watches me carefully, obviously not trusting me with her while she is so vulnerable. He comes up closer to us to take her clothes off so we can wash the blood from her body. I stop him, gripping his wrist and making him look at me.
"I'm sorry." I choke out. I don't think I've ever apologized before. But I've also never meant it until now. Bennett pins me with a firm look and nods once before motioning towards Claire.
"She's the one you need to apologize to." He states and I nod in agreement and he gently pulls the soiled clothes from her body.
He carries her into the shower and I throw her clothes away, not ever wanting to see the blood drenched material again. The smell still wafts from the can, so I take the clothes outside and put them in the fire pit before taking in a deep breath, feeling the flames fan in my belly I spit a line of fire at them until they are set ablaze. I watch for a few moments, before turning back into the house.
I walk into our room and Bennett is in bed with Claire. She's still unconcious, but her heart rate is better as well as her color. Her cheeks are pink and I remember what she said about how hot it is sleeping between us. I go to the other side of Bennett, putting him in the middle, and curl my arm around his waist, resting my head on his shoulder. He doesn't say anything, put pecks a kiss to my forehead. A low rumble leaves me as the affection makes me feel content. I reach out and run my hand through Claire's hair. I've always loved long hair and hers has always been so soft. It's still wet, so I let my hand heat up a bit. Her hair steams as I dry it for her, and I let my hand rest on her back, effectively holding both of my mates at the same time.